Leon Turnbull Photography

I posted earlier about the SPOT Satellite Messenger that I recently purchased, and indicated I would follow up with some info on how it actually works out in the wilderness. This device allows you to send a signal using GPS to your loved one to let them know exactly where you are (or a 911 help signal).

Well, I am happy to report, it works very well (if used properly). It is a little more finicky than a regular GPS device. In particular, it does not work while you are moving (hiking or driving). When you send a signal, you need to be in one place, with an open view of the sky, for about 10 minutes. I made the initial mistake of trying to send a signal while hiking. That did not work. But if you are not moving, it works very well. Essentially, what I do is send a “OK” signal (to my wife) before I begin my hike, as soon as I get to the trailhead. That gives it some time while I get all my hiking gear organized. Then I send additional signals when I get to a destination or am going to be resting for awhile. I find it needs about 5-10 minutes to send a successful signal.

There is a $50/year option (which I did not get), which allows you to send continuous signals every 10 minutes or so. But considering that the device only works well while you are staying still, it seems to me that this optional add-on would not work very well anyway. I’m glad I did not purchase that (I didn’t really see a need for it, anyway).

Also, it is difficult to determine if the signal was sent successfully or not. You can easily tell if the signal was NOT sent by the flashing lights. But unless you are constantly watching the device for 5-10 minutes, you have no idea if a signal was sent successfully. You can guess it was sent successfully after a 10 minute period, but you can’t really be sure. I wish it would beep or something when it was sending the signal.

In other news, I got a bad case of poison oak all over my legs, on my latest hike to Bear Creek Falls. I never used to get oak at all. But now, it seems I get it if I just look at it. It is agony I tell you. Will getting poison oak deter me from hiking to these out of the way, beautiful, waterfalls? Not likely.